The Help Companyhttp://thehelpcompany.com
a claudia kahn agencyThu, 08 Dec 2016 23:38:03 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.1165522832016 Holiday Gift Guidehttp://thehelpcompany.com/2016-holiday-gift-guide/
Thu, 08 Dec 2016 23:36:28 +0000http://thehelpcompany.com/?p=4003We hope that everyone is having a great December! At The Help Company, we know just how crazy things can get time of year, so we want to help you simplify the BIG task of holiday shopping with our annual Gift Guide! It’s filled with thoughtful, meaningful, useful and fun gifts for all budgets! Happy Shopping, elves!

With Mother’s Day approaching, I want to share an important story with you about a close friend of mine and her daughter. I met Robin Kellner over 20 years ago; Robin and I were both single moms, our only children were the same age and we were both owners of Nanny Agencies – it was meant to be! Through the years we kept in touch sharing advice and stories about our business, our family and friends, our love lives and of course parenting. Our children went off to college and then one day her life turned upside down. Here is a letter from Robin to every parent.

Dear Parents,

Nine years ago tomorrow, my daughter Zoe died in her bedroom, alone, in our home – from an accidental overdose.

She was only 22 years old. Zoe was beautiful, intelligent, decent. She was really the kid who knew better.

Zoe was loved and loving — once you met her, you fell in love with her.

As a parent, I never imagined my child would die before me.

And I never ever considered she would die from taking drugs — a combination of drugs that slowed down her respiration so that her heart stopped.

I’m sorry to be so graphic, but I just never fully realized something like this could happen to us. I know now we need to talk about drugs, drug overdose, and in detail.

When I became a mother, it felt like such a miracle. I remember the day I took Zoe home from the hospital. I understood the responsibility I had for another person’s life. It felt overwhelming, scary, but at the same time, so incredible. I felt like the luckiest person on earth to have a child.

When we lost her, it was beyond any loss I have ever experienced. My hopes and dreams for Zoe are gone. The things we imagine for our children will not be for her.

I became the person you don’t want to ask the most normal question in the world –“do you have children”? That has become the most dreaded question; not just for me, but also for those who innocently ask me.

Trying to understand how this all happened, and how this happened to us, has not been easy. I needed to find some answers

In the last nine years here’s what I’ve learned, so far.

Anything can happen to any one of us.

I know that sounds pretty obvious, but I don’t know if I really understood that.

Drug misuse is, unfortunately, prevalent, and affects different people differently. Some misuse drugs and move on without serious consequences. But for 10% or so, it can become lethal – and fatal as the accident was for Zoe.

There are several mental health issues that can be indicators or predictors, possibly making some people more vulnerable than others to misusing drugs. Zoe had several of these markers. Unfortunately her pediatrician and her adolescent medicine physician never made the connection, so neither did I.

And because there can often be mental health issues, being punitive has no place when dealing with drug misuse and your kids. No one wants to be the person, losing control, missing out on life, living without options. If he or she could do better, they definitely would.

Finding good treatment in 2007, when we desperately needed it for Zoe, was horribly challenging. Times are changing, though not fast enough. You will need to do a lot of your own work and research, vetting professionals and treatment facilities. Getting the right help is crucial.

Initially, I couldn’t find the treatment that Zoe needed. Through trial and error, we a doctor who thought he could help Zoe. But we lost so much time, and time turned out to be crucial. Using drugs recreationally can be like a game of Russian roulette. It was for Zoe.

On the night of April 9, 2007, she did what she had done many times before, but this time it didn’t turn out the way she expected. She suffered an accidental fatal overdose. I pray that she had no idea what was happening and that she just went to sleep.

If your kids start struggling with drugs, mobilize whatever resources you can. Ask your primary care physician, your pediatrician, or your adolescent medicine doctor, whom they might recommend etc. If they don’t have a suggestion, get in touch with a local hospital or treatment center. Ask questions, look for humane and evidence-based treatment.

When your loved one is misusing drugs, the issue is health, not character, not moral failing.

All of our kids are incredibly good kids. They are special, sensitive and thoughtful – they are “your” kids.

When I talk to parents who have lost youngsters, I so often hear that there was pain for some of those kids and maybe they did what they needed to in order to find some relief.

And talk to your children. Start the conversation about drugs with your kids, earlier than you think you need to, and more often than you probably would like to. Give them facts, information, not scare tactics. Be a role model. You want to model the behavior you are asking of your kids.

We all want our youngsters to be okay. But don’t be afraid of things you may see, early on, those indicators I spoke of. Recognizing problems early on can sometimes mean fewer complications, easier treatment and a better resolution.

I can’t bring Zoe back. It’s what I want more than anything in the world.

To see her again, hear her voice, feel her skin which was velvet – – I want to have my daughter again.

The other thing that I want, is to help prevent this from happening to you.

Robin

To learn more about Zoe and Robin, please visit: www.zoey-story.com

]]>3436Help Co Alumnus spotlighthttp://thehelpcompany.com/help-co-alumnus-spotlight/
Thu, 07 Apr 2016 21:29:40 +0000http://thehelpcompany.com/?p=3392Sephira is the beloved Nanny of one our very favorite families. After years of taking care of other peoples’ children, she will soon take care of her own! This soon-to-be-Mama is lucky to be well ahead of the curve when it comes to knowing how to take care of a little one. We couldn’t resist posting this gorgeous photo and sharing this sweet story of coming full circle. Congratulations to you Sephira. We can’t wait to meet your little one.
]]>3392People are Peoplehttp://thehelpcompany.com/people-are-people/
Fri, 25 Mar 2016 21:54:09 +0000http://thehelpcompany.com/?p=3365Melissa’s post out of our San Francisco office sure got everyone talking! Here at The Help Company, we find ourselves so accustomed to people hiring Drivers, Chefs, Estate Managers & 24/7 Nannies, we sometimes lose sight of the fact that these hires — this world — can spark controversy and intrigue. The truth is, whether you’re the Driver, Chef, Estate Manager, Nanny or the person lucky enough to hire one or all — people are people, and in the grand scheme of things, we’re not all that different at the end of the day.

]]>3365The Help Company gives back, in PERU!http://thehelpcompany.com/the-help-company-gives-back-in-peru/
Tue, 23 Feb 2016 00:38:39 +0000http://thehelpcompany.com/?p=3291Claudia just returned from Peru this week with the incredible Dr. Lee Miller, founder of Partners for Pediatric Progress, and close Help Company friend.

The Help Company has donated a percentage of its annual profits since 2012 to support P3’s inspiring mission to create and maintain educational partnerships that will have a sustainable impact on improving the health and care of children in resource limited regions, http://p3project.org.

Thank you for teaming with The Help Company to find a job, or find help. Every single placement we make enables THC to donate to worthy, wonderful foundations like Partners for Pediatric Progress.

#partnersforpediatricprogress #helpcogivesback

]]>3291Happy 2016!http://thehelpcompany.com/happy-2016/
Fri, 08 Jan 2016 18:38:18 +0000http://thehelpcompany.com/?p=3152Another New Year has begun; filled with new goals, adventures, and hopefully many new, shiny and long lasting matches here at The Help Company.

2015 ended with a bang! Naomi went sky diving (from 19,000 feet, no less) in New Zealand. Michele packed up the kiddos and hit the slopes in Park City. Katie spent a week walking the beach and jumping waves in Florida. Melissa enjoyed a staycation in Palo Alto; watching movies and hanging out with family (most notably her darling tow-headed nephews) and friends. And back at the ranch, our fearless founder Claudia held down the fort, and closed more deals in two weeks than the four of us make in a month!

As we reflect on the past year and look forward to the new, we want to take a moment to wish you all the very best. It is our great pleasure to team with you. Candidates, thank you for trusting us on your career paths. Clients, it is our honor to work in your homes and businesses. We never lose sight of how truly awesome a responsibility it is to find caregivers for your loved ones, Chefs to nourish you, Housekeepers to keep your homes in tip-top shape, Assistants to manage your days, and so on. We are lucky to love what we do. We hope that feeling comes through as we continue our work together in the coming year.

Wishing you good health, happiness and success in the coming year, and always.

Your friends at The Help Company

]]>3152When Good Help Is Hard To Find – Call The Help Company!http://thehelpcompany.com/when-good-help-is-hard-to-find/
Thu, 07 Jan 2016 00:44:59 +0000http://thehelpcompany.com/?p=3139Help Co. founder and matchmaker extraordinaire Claudia Kahn goes “Above & Beyond” for the National Post. Check it out here: When Good Help Is Hard To Find
]]>3139Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas from The Help Company!http://thehelpcompany.com/last-minute-holiday-gift-ideas-from-the-help-company/
Mon, 21 Dec 2015 19:17:18 +0000http://thehelpcompany.com/?p=3103Struggling with what to get your family and friends? With only a few shopping days left, here are our last minute gift ideas for Los Angeles and San Francisco! Happy Holidays from our family at The Help Company!

And obviously a night with any of our private chefs or the babysitters club yearly certificatewww.thehelpcompany.com

]]>3103SMILE FILE: Blast from the past!http://thehelpcompany.com/smile-file-blast-from-the-past/
Fri, 11 Sep 2015 21:43:52 +0000http://thehelpcompany.com/?p=2877Sometimes in our industry, the stars align and my faith in the universe’s power is restored. About six months ago I interviewed an amazing Chief of Staff who has High Net Worth clients across the country that she does contract work for. We didn’t have a job that was “big” enough for her qualifications here in San Francisco, but we kept in touch regardless.

Networking is key in recruiting, plus I liked her personality so it was a double win! About a month ago she reached out in hopes that we could help one of her clients in Chicago. With offices in LA, SF and NYC, we have a large network, but I still knew that this was going to be a tough search in a city where we do not have an office. I remembered through seeing various Facebook posts and updates that a girl I went to High School with, but was not close with, lived in Chicago and worked in the private sector as a Personal Assistant. I reached out to her as a shot in the dark and asked if she was interested in a learning about the opportunity with our client. I had no idea if she would reply to my message, let alone what her true qualifications were. I was setting myself up for an awkward situation if she didn’t have the experience our client was looking for. She replied to me almost immediately and we set up a call for that day.

After speaking with her, I realized that she was perfect for the job. Not only did her pervious positions make her a perfect candidate but her personality was exactly the type our client had requested! Usually when someone is perfect on paper, they lack the chemistry with a client but in this case it was an all around slam dunk. Kristen has been amazing through this entire hiring process- she has been prompt, patient and all around lovely to work with. She starts her job Monday and I’m not sure who is more exited, the candidate or our client! And we could not be happier either!

When I was a child in elementary school, I had a friend named Amy who was a lot of fun and super spunky. We shared laughs like no other. Sadly, we went to different high schools and colleges and lost touch throughout the years. Amy is now a successful actress with a beautiful six month old daughter who happens to be searching for an amazing Nanny for her family, and I am beyond thrilled to be in the perfect position to help her!

Taking on Amy as a client started as a job – one in which I was super excited to do – after all, who doesn’t love helping an old friend, but what I didn’t expect the job to turn in to, and what it has become, has been a renewed friendship in my life. Amy and I have rediscovered the bond we shared as children, and much to my delight, we have found we have even more in common now as working moms. We email and text like the giggly schoolgirls we once were, and it has been such a joy to feel that kinship and connection back in my life again. Finding the perfect Nanny for my old friend is just the icing on the cake – for BOTH of us!